However with the Pakistani selectors now providing a long overdue patient streak, Asad has been provided with an extended run in the international set up as he looks to establish himself in the middle order for Pakistan.

 

Speaking exclusively with PakPassion.net Asad spoke of his appreciation of the competition for places and how he feels comfortable in the surroundings of international cricket, as well as his determination to convert more of his starts into three figures.

 

“The more international cricket you play, the more comfortable you feel in this special environment and the more confident you feel in your surroundings. I’ve played for Pakistan on more than 50 occasions now and yes it’s good to be part of the international team’s set up, but that is not to say that anyone should take their place for granted. There is always plenty to learn and there will always be plenty of things to improve upon. The competition for places is intense and every single player is wary of the competition.”

 

Shafiq made his international debut in 2010 at the age of 24 which by Pakistani standards is quite late. Whilst some may say that he deserved a chance before 2010, he feels that 4 years of experience in domestic cricket stood him in good stead by the time he was introduced to the Pakistani senior cricket team.

 

“I had played four seasons of domestic cricket before I was picked for Pakistan and I think that has been a distinct advantage for me. In those four seasons I had played about 40 first class matches and had made some big scores and played some long innings. I had played against a lot of international bowlers in Pakistan and that experience was crucial for me. Whatever you say about domestic cricket, it has the best cricketers in Pakistan featuring in it and I feel that domestic cricket really helped in my development as a batsman. Obviously there is a difference between domestic cricket and international cricket but for basic development and the opportunity to enhance and improve your cricket, the domestic circuit in Pakistan is a tremendous help.”

 

Since making his debut in international cricket Shafiq has served played under three coaches, Waqar Younis, Mohsin Khan and now Dav Whatmore. However Shafiq feels that the changes in head coach have not affected his batting or approach, rather he sees the positives of having the opportunity to work with three very different but knowledgeable former cricketers.

 

“I’ve been very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Waqar (Younis), Mohsin (Khan) and now Dav Whatmore. All three have been very helpful and beneficial for my development. Whilst all three have their own styles of coaching, all of them have great cricketing minds”.

 

Shafiq’s solitary century in international cricket was last year against Bangladesh in a Test match at Chittagong when he made 104. Despite crossing the half century mark on four other occasions in Test cricket he has been unable to convert the starts into centuries. He is also yet to make a One Day century, despite crossing the 40 mark on a number of occasions. Whilst not overly concerned at his lack of international centuries Shafiq admitted that it was a statistic that he needed to improve upon.

 

“Reaching three figures against Bangladesh last year was a special moment. It doesn’t matter how many centuries you make in domestic cricket, scoring a century in Test cricket is a special moment for any cricketer and it will be a moment that I will always cherish. It was a dream come true for me and I think it was a benchmark in my cricketing career, a moment that has really improved my confidence and self belief. Having said that, I am aware that I need to start converting more of my starts into hundreds. Yes thirties, forties and fifties are a decent contribution to your team’s total particularly when we played England recently in the UAE as it helped Pakistan to victory in all three Tests, but I know that I have had a lot of starts where I have not been able to convert a start into three figures and this is something that I am looking to improve.”

 

Shafiq added “I don’t think the lack of hundreds is a psychological problem or a technical issue. I just happened to either receive a good delivery or there was a bit of bad luck. All cricketers go through such phases but I’m sure that it is something that I can improve upon in future. It’s perhaps that I need to be a little bit more careful or cautious when I have reached the 60 or 70 mark in my innings.”

 

Shafiq has featured for Pakistan in thirteen Tests, twenty nine ODIs and 10 T20Is. He was recently omitted from the T20 squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka but he feels that the best cricketers are those that can adjust their technique for all three formats.

 

“Every cricketer wants to play in every format, at the end of the day it’s the same game with slightly different variations. It is no big secret that as a professional, you want to play in as many games as possible for your country. There is an enjoyment of playing in each format, your skills are tested in each format and your technique and mindset is tested in each format. It’s difficult to state which format is most suited to my technique but I dearly want to play for my country in whichever format is available to me.”

 

Shafiq is yet to play an overseas Test match in the challenging conditions of England, South Africa or Australia but it’s a challenge that he is looking forward to and a scenario that he feels will further test his temperament and technique.

 

“I’ve played against South Africa and England in home series in the UAE and I really enjoyed facing both team’s bowlers, but that’s correct that I’m yet to experience the intensity of a Test match in South Africa, England or Australia; it’s something that I am really looking forward to. All three teams have very strong bowling attacks and it will be a tough challenge to face their bowlers in their home conditions whenever that opportunity arises.”

 

Pakistan’s upcoming assignment sees them embark on what promises to be a difficult tour of Sri Lanka, a tour that Shafiq feels will be closely fought and one where the preparations could not have gone any better.

 

“We defeated Sri Lanka in the UAE when we played against them last year and I am sure they will be looking for revenge. We will be aiming for a repeat performance of the UAE and I’m certain that it will be a closely fought series in all three formats. The Sri Lankans at home are a pretty formidable unit but we are playing with a lot of confidence and our preparations have gone very well with the training camp in Lahore and then the series of practice matches. The weather conditions in Lahore have been very similar to what we will encounter in Sri Lanka and I feel that our build up to the tour of Sri Lanka could not have gone any better.”

 

Pakistan’s vulnerability against left arm spin will once again be tested when they face Rangana Herath and Shafiq feels that he could be Sri Lanka’s main bowling weapon when the two teams square up.

 

“Herath has been bowling well, he had a good series against England earlier this year and he also bowled well against us in the UAE. He’s a wily and experienced bowler, who is bowling with confidence and we will have to respect his bowling as he could be the Sri Lankan’s main threat with the ball.” 

 

Pakistan face Sri Lanka in two T20Is, five one day internationals, before the teams meet each other in a three Test match series. The tour commences on Friday 1st June in Hambantota.